Just Ignore Karzai and Press On

Uncertain signals from the Obama administration have sapped Afghans' confidence in the future.

By

Seth G. Jones

Nov. 25, 2013 6:50 p.m. ET

Just as U.S. and Afghan negotiators reached an agreement to keep U.S. forces in Afghanistan through 2024, Afghan President Hamid Karzai blinked. Mr. Karzai now wants the agreement signed after the 2014 presidential elections, when there will be a new Afghan leader. The Loya Jirga, or consultative assembly, that met last week endorsed the deal and asked Mr. Karzai to sign it before the end of this year.

While the current impasse may further tempt the United States to rethink its long-term commitment to Afghanistan, that...